Hayden Panettiere’s boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the South Carolina apartment where the actress passed away, as stated in a police report disclosed on Tuesday. A Greenville police officer arrived at the scene and found paramedics trying to revive an unresponsive woman, with no apparent physical cause for her condition. Despite efforts to save her, Panettiere was pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m. Her death, at the age of 36, is currently under investigation, with no determined cause so far. An autopsy revealed no signs of physical harm, and authorities ruled out foul play.
Panettiere and Brian Hickerson had a tumultuous relationship, marked by allegations of physical abuse by the 37-year-old. Hickerson faced charges in 2020 related to felony abuse, to which he pleaded no contest, resulting in a brief jail term. Following this, he received probation, anger management, and Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. Recently, he sought to downgrade his conviction to misdemeanors, but a Los Angeles judge rejected the request.
In a heavily redacted police report, it was mentioned that Zach Hickerson identified the woman as his brother’s girlfriend, showing visible distress during the emergency situation. After her death was confirmed, the brothers were escorted out of the apartment. Details of a conversation with Brian and a list of Panettiere’s medications were redacted from the report.
Panettiere’s former fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, expressed sorrow over her sudden passing, emphasizing her significance in his life as the mother of their daughter, Kaya. Klitschko assumed full custody of their child after their separation in 2018, as Panettiere grappled with addiction and postpartum depression. In a heartfelt statement, he acknowledged her talent and the impact she had on their lives, urging privacy during this challenging period.
The actress, who would have turned 37 soon, shared her personal struggles, including addiction and postpartum depression, in her recent memoir, “This Is Me: A Reckoning.” Panettiere clarified misconceptions about her parental responsibilities in a podcast interview earlier this year, emphasizing her ongoing connection with her daughter.
As tributes pour in for Panettiere, co-stars like Connie Britton and Masi Oka expressed their grief over the loss. Remembered for her talent and vibrant energy, Panettiere’s contribution to shows like “Heroes” and “Nashville” was acknowledged by colleagues and creators. Prior to her fame in these series, she started her acting career as a child artist in films like “Remember the Titans” alongside Denzel Washington.
